Cruises from Aswan

Further up the Nile River from Abu Simbel is Aswan. Aswan has a fascinating history that is unparallel to any other around the world. It is very important as it is said to be the first city of Egypt and the city which opened the doors to Egypt. Travellers will find numerous natural and man-made treasures here, reflecting ancient history and culture from the original habitants of the area.

Aswan was originally called Swenet and was named after an Egyptian Goddess. The most prized trade that they had was their granitic rock, Syenite. With this stone they were able to make various temples, monuments, obelisks and statues. You can take tours of the many beautiful man made creations that the city has to offer by booking a tour guide or taking yourself round.

While in Aswan you should take a trip over to Abu Simbel as it is one of the most beautiful temples in the world. You can then cross the Nile on a felucca cruise and ride a camel over to the Monastery of St. Simeon.

You should never experience a dull moment in Aswan as there is so much to do. Right in town there are two large temples; the Philae Temple and the Kalabsha Temple. The first was to commemorate Isis and is said to be the last temple to have been built in a classical Egyptian style. This temple had to be moved due to flooding waters of Lake Nasser. Likewise, the Kalabsha Temple was also relocated due to flooding. This temple was erected for the God of sun and fertility.

Then on the western side of Aswan you can visit a number of remarkable places. These include the previously mentioned monastery of St. Simeon, the Mausoleum of the Aga Khan, the Tombs of the Nobles and the Kubbet el Hawa. This is a small shrine to a local holy man but once you get there you can see a panoramic view of the Nile River and all that it encompasses.

The Nubian Museum is a great place to go to brush up on your history and to learn about the people who inhabit Aswan. You then may want to tour the Unfinished Obelisk, which will help you learn more about the complexity of these monuments and how they were built. Aswan is also where you can find the Elephantine Island which has stunning views of the Nile River Valley. You will be able to see Pepinakht Heqaib, Nilometers, Khnum and the Temples of Sati.

Aswan can become very hot and often suffers from sandstorms. You always need to be prepared; if you do not know how long your excursion will last, make sure you bring heavy clothing as well because during the nightfall the temperature normally plummets.

Aswan is an incredible city in Egypt and it must be explored. There is so much to see and, most likely, not enough time to see it all. See as much as you can because this is an unforgettable experience that will leave you in love with this city.